Related

There’s good reason to dread standards albums by rockers and pop stars looking to stretch their interpretive range. Ever since Rod Stewart made the Great American Songbook a cliché, the formidable oeuvre of some of the country’s most gifted songwriters has too often been misused for supper-club showboating by singers out of their depth.

Oddly, Paul McCartney’s other surviving Beatle bandmate was among the first rock artists to test the waters with his solo debut: Ringo Starr’s Sentimental Journey was released in 1970. Beatle buddy Harry Nilsson was also an early cheerleader for the classic catalogue, with his wonderful A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night, issued in 1973.

McCartney, a lifelong booster of the standards, has always seemed a natural to record his own take on the greats, so the only mystery is why it took him more than four decades to get around to recording Kisses on the Bottom. (The ill-advised title has a context in the song from which it’s lifted, the album-opening I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter.)

We can be thankful he took his time and got it right. The album is a beauty, whether or not you’ve had it with the standards.

The disc’s most impressive accomplishment, perhaps, is in reminding us that McCartney – who has few peers as a songwriter, performer and musician – is also a great singer. Leaving the instrumental work to Diana Krall and her band, who perform with understated grace, Sir Paul focuses on delivery and interpretation. In a voice that’s invariably supple and smooth, he frequently slips into his higher register for the sweet touch needed in songs like It’s Only a Paper Moon and Home (When Shadows Fall).

There’s charm and wit to spare, too, as McCartney sinks his teeth into Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive and My Very Good Friend the Milkman, also covered recently by Eric Clapton, who appears on this disc.

Among the standouts is The Inchworm, a version of which McCartney produced for Mary Hopkin in 1969. The structure of this haunting nursery-rhyme gem, contrasted with the more expected style of the other entries, shows that McCartney’s priorities are songs, not uniformity.

McCartney also contributed two originals: Only Our Hearts and the superb My Valentine, seemingly a celebration of his wife’s upbeat attitude. Both fit like a glove among the album’s 14 songs.

And why wouldn’t they? If there’s one thing McCartney has obviously valued over the 50-plus years he’s been writing, it’s craftsmanship. And these are the songs from which he learned it.

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.